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Economy of Botswana vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $254B for Iraq, ranking 135/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $137B (53.9% of GDP) in Iraq.

Botswana vs Iraq GDP by year

Botswana
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Iraq
2025 $19,928,479,839 $254,367,293,538
2024 $19,286,251,068 $279,641,257,615
2023 $19,413,614,555 $268,881,051,644
2022 $20,321,150,599 $287,372,232,138
2021 $18,750,182,236 $209,691,945,713
2020 $14,960,251,608 $180,898,797,517
2019 $16,725,908,149 $233,636,097,800
2018 $17,031,943,186 $227,367,469,034
2017 $16,105,155,857 $187,217,660,051
2016 $15,082,637,184 $166,743,557,748
2015 $13,530,748,845 $166,774,104,959
2014 $15,470,088,501 $228,415,656,175
2013 $14,271,738,933 $234,637,675,129
2012 $13,907,464,500 $218,002,476,129
2011 $15,110,643,612 $185,749,664,444
2010 $12,637,273,429 $138,516,722,650
2009 $10,118,459,242 $111,657,580,326
2008 $10,730,829,116 $131,614,434,154
2007 $10,567,270,656 $88,837,057,320
2006 $9,919,158,482 $65,147,051,918
2005 $9,918,907,108 $50,065,104,668
2004 $8,957,467,707 $36,633,669,269
2003 $7,511,582,173 $21,921,569,479
2002 $5,438,863,983 $32,928,454,672
2001 $5,489,608,300 $36,176,430,129
2000 $5,788,329,609 $48,364,250,944
1999 $5,484,263,347 $36,881,601,584
1998 $4,790,481,509 $20,617,405,044
1997 $5,020,265,627 $20,764,857,056
1996 $4,847,757,218 $10,433,698,621
1995 $4,730,599,122 $12,894,029,888
1994 $4,259,259,604 $3,991,349,283
1993 $4,160,129,175 $1,031,944,881
1992 $4,146,464,587 $553,671,958
1991 $3,942,876,703 $407,796,350
1990 $3,790,636,324 $180,408,064,516
1989 $3,083,822,112 $65,831,935,484
1988 $2,644,554,159 $62,684,516,129
1987 $1,965,226,890 $56,774,193,548
1986 $1,392,602,164 $47,264,516,129
1985 $1,114,783,343 $48,425,161,290
1984 $1,240,822,167 $46,938,387,097
1983 $1,172,230,397 $40,712,903,226
1982 $1,014,945,696 $42,382,333,333
1981 $1,073,812,830 $37,823,000,000
1980 $1,060,889,704 $52,569,000,000
1979 $819,870,259 $37,816,457,839
1978 $590,407,374 $23,762,275,652
1977 $451,624,780 $19,838,130,715
1976 $372,025,093 $17,754,825,601
1975 $355,168,572 $13,458,516,763
1974 $306,044,208 $11,516,762,614
1973 $244,124,164 $5,134,367,778
1972 $164,460,915 $4,113,848,002
1971 $127,448,614 $3,865,346,535
1970 $96,243,234 $3,281,318,687
1969 $77,361,547 $3,007,758,797
1968 $66,248,441 $2,896,598,841
1967 $58,642,354 $2,551,522,656
1966 $51,465,655 $2,530,306,096
1965 $45,788,696 $2,335,785,506
1964 $41,616,348 $2,136,408,198
1963 $38,091,843 $1,805,901,510
1962 $35,644,957 $1,784,174,541
1961 $32,902,613 $1,671,960,965
1960 $30,411,414 $1,537,252,193

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/iraq | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Iraq by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $5,410 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $818 $6,068
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $901 $7,964
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $936 $6,020
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $485 $5,034
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $619 $4,598
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $23 $2,694
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $10,261 -
1989 $2,428 - $3,791 -
1988 $2,141 - $3,707 -
1987 $1,639 - $3,436 -
1986 $1,200 - $2,940 -
1985 $994 - $3,088 -
1984 $1,145 - $3,066 -
1983 $1,121 - $2,743 -
1982 $1,006 - $2,942 -
1981 $1,107 - $2,700 -
1980 $1,132 - $3,868 -
1979 $909 - $2,871 -
1978 $695 - $1,863 -
1977 $565 - $1,609 -
1976 $490 - $1,489 -
1975 $493 - $1,166 -
1974 $446 - $1,031 -
1973 $374 - $476 -
1972 $264.2 - $394 -
1971 $212.2 - $384 -
1970 $163 - $337 -
1969 $131.8 - $320 -
1968 $113.4 - $319 -
1967 $100.9 - $290.6 -
1966 $89.1 - $298.2 -
1965 $79.7 - $284.8 -
1964 $73.5 - $269.4 -
1963 $68.9 - $235.5 -
1962 $66 - $240.7 -
1961 $62.3 - $232.4 -
1960 $58.9 - $218.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/iraq | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $5,410 in Iraq, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Botswana Iraq
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$254B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
54/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
-2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$5,410
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
119/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$137B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
53.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$2,917
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
108/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$6,782
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
42.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
0.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
16.2%
2021
Population
2624853
48531417

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 42.7% 53.9%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 41.7% 45.2%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 29.1% 21% 33.9% 39%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 48.2% 32%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 44% 117.1%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 91.5% 344%
2003 42.7% 7.08% - -
2002 45.1% 8.37% - -
2001 42.1% 7.48% - -
2000 38.8% 8.16% - -
1999 40.1% 9.31% - -
1998 41.8% 11.3% - -
1997 39% - - -
1996 36.1% - - -
1995 36.1% - - -
1994 37.6% - - -
1993 42% - - -
1992 42.3% - - -
1991 41.1% - - -
1990 38.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/iraq | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $109B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 53.9% in Iraq, ranking 137/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Iraq
2025 -7.42% -6.41%
2024 -7.26% -3.45%
2023 -4.16% -1.14%
2022 0.04% 8.1%
2021 -2.33% -0.38%
2020 -10.9% -12.8%
2019 -8.53% 0.83%
2018 -5.03% 7.69%
2017 -1.14% -1.52%
2016 0.71% -14.4%
2015 -4.82% -12.8%
2014 3.9% -5.63%
2013 5.84% -6.06%
2012 0.89% 4.09%
2011 -0.12% 4.74%
2010 -7.95% -4.18%
2009 -13.8% -14.9%
2008 -7.61% -0.86%
2007 5.73% 9.98%
2006 13.3% 10.7%
2005 10.3% 4.07%
2004 1.35% -35.4%
2003 -0.18% -
2002 -3.94% -
2001 -2.91% -
2000 8.73% -
1999 5.95% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/iraq | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.48B, equivalent to 7.42% of GDP. This compares to Iraq's deficit of $16.3B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.77% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.17% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Iraq
2025 2.66% 0.3%
2024 2.82% 2.61%
2023 5.07% 4.36%
2022 11.7% 4.99%
2021 7.24% 6.04%
2020 1.89% 0.57%
2019 2.77% -0.2%
2018 3.24% 0.37%
2017 3.31% 0.18%
2016 2.81% 0.56%
2015 3.06% 1.39%
2014 4.4% 2.24%
2013 5.88% 1.88%
2012 7.54% 6.09%
2011 8.46% 5.6%
2010 6.95% 2.43%
2009 8.03% 6.87%
2008 12.7% 12.7%
2007 7.08% -10.1%
2006 11.6% 53.2%
2005 8.61% 37%
2004 6.95% 27%
2003 9.19% 33.6%
2002 8.03% 19.3%
2001 6.56% 16.4%
2000 8.6% 4.98%
1999 7.75% 12.6%
1998 6.66% 14.8%
1997 8.72% 23.1%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/iraq | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 10% in Iraq. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 0.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $1K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Iraq
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
27/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$101B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
37.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
39.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Botswana Iraq
Economic freedom 67.7 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 196/197
Property rights 71.7 8.3
Government integrity 59.6 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 5.8
Tax burden 87.1 85.5
Government spending 69.8 65.3
Fiscal health 72.4 95.7
Business freedom 61.5 42.8
Labor freedom 60.7 60.6
Monetary freedom 72 68.6
Trade freedom 77 40
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Iraq
2026 67.7 -
2025 69.9 -
2024 68 -
2023 64.9 -
2022 64.8 -
2021 67.6 -
2020 69.6 -
2019 69.5 -
2018 69.9 -
2017 70.1 -
2016 71.1 -
2015 69.8 -
2014 72 -
2013 70.6 -
2012 69.6 -
2011 68.8 -
2010 70.3 -
2009 69.7 -
2008 68.2 -
2007 68.1 -
2006 68.8 -
2005 69.3 -
2004 69.9 -
2003 68.6 -
2002 66.2 15.6
2001 66.8 17.2
2000 65.8 17.2
1999 62.9 17.2
1998 62.8 17.2
1997 59.1 17.2
1996 61.6 17.2
1995 56.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/iraq | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Iraq
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
45.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
3.41%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$267B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$14,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
19.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/iraq | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.